FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

Taxation is the nucleus and the path to modern development. Thus, the study was to assess the impact of poor taxation on the development of Local Government Areas. This is because local government as the third tier of government and the closest to the people especially in the rural areas needed revenue to provide basic social amenities to the people. But it is unfortunate to note that the local government management have not lived up to expectation especially to provide basic social amenities to the rural people. Thus, the objective of the research was to analyze the extent to which poor taxation had affected the development of those areas. The researcher used primary and secondary methods of data collection to generate the needed data. The data obtained through questionnaire was presented in tables and expressed in simple percentages. The following were some of the findings which included poor development of the areas, lack of basic social amenities to the rural people and lack of effective tax collection mechanisms. The study also revealed that poor taxation by local government in Nigeria has affected the spread of development to all the nooks and crannies of the country. Thus local government councils and their management should strategically plan on proper measures to generate revenue as to meet with their functions as provided by the constitution of the country

This study examines the role of local government in promoting economic development at the grassroots level, using Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria, as a case study. The primary objective was to assess the developmental contributions of Egor LGA, identify challenges affecting its financial performance, and evaluate strategies for improving its internally generated revenue (IGR) to foster sustainable growth. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 138 respondents and supplemented with interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and mean scores, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative a responses. Findings revealed that Egor Local Government has made meaningful contributions to grassroots economic development through the provision of infrastructure, income generation, and employment creation. However, the study identified inadequate funding, corruption, political interference, and weak revenue mobilization as major obstacles hindering effective performance. It also established that IGR plays a critical role in promoting fiscal sustainability and reducing dependence on statutory
allocations. Furthermore, innovative sources of revenue, such as outdoor signage and advertisement levies, were found to offer promising opportunities for expanding the financial base of the local government. The study concludes that Egor Local Government has the potential to drive inclusive and sustainable economic development if structural and administrative challenges are effectively addressed. It recommends enhanced financial autonomy, improved transparency and accountability, staff capacity building, community participation, and public-private partnerships as key strategies for strengthening local governance and achieving long-term development goals.

This study explores the effects of parental separation on the well-being of adolescents and young adults in the Ekosodin community, Benin City, Nigeria, and examines the implications for social work practice. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research investigates emotional, psychological, academic, and behavioural outcomes among individuals aged 12 to 25 who have experienced parental separation. Findings reveal that separation often leads to emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, as well as behavioural changes such as aggression, withdrawal, and academic disengagement. The study also identifies gaps in community support systems and limited access to formal psychosocial services. While some resilience factors and coping mechanisms were observed, many young people lacked adequate resources to manage the long-term impact of separation. The research highlights the urgent need for culturally sensitive, community-based social work interventions tailored to the unique socio- economic and demographic context of Ekosodin. Recommendations include strengthening local support networks, expanding access to counseling services, and integrating social work strategies into youth development programs.

This study examined community policing and internal security in Nigeria, with particular reference to Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. The main objective of the study was to assess the nature and practice of community policing, its impact on crime reduction and internal security, the challenges facing its implementation, and the role of youths and local
security actors in sustaining community policing initiatives in the study area. The study adopted a survey research design. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires administered to residents of Esan North-East Local Government Area. The data
obtained were analyzed using simple percentages and frequency tables.
The findings of the study revealed that community policing has improved collaboration between the police and community members, leading to better information sharing and quicker response to crime. The study also found that community policing has contributed to a reduction in crime and an improvement in the level of internal security in the area. However, challenges such as inadequate funding, lack of trust between the police and residents, poor cooperation, and insufficient training of personnel were identified as major obstacles to the effective implementation of community policing. The study concluded that community policing is an effective strategy for enhancing internal security when there is active cooperation between the police and the community. It was therefore recommended that the government should provide adequate funding, improve training for community policing officers, and promote public awareness and community participation in security matters

Government plays a central role in shaping the growth and stability of any nation through the formulation of policies, management of resources, and provision of essential services. In Nigeria, where government institutions control a significant portion of national wealth and employment, effective governance is critical to ensuring sustainable development (Obi, 2020). Unfortunately, the Nigerian state has long struggled with Financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and widespread corruption, all of which have hampered national progress despite the country’s abundant human and natural resources

This study examines the impact of youth organizations on the development of Uselu community in Benin City, Edo State. The role of youth organizations in community development cannot be overstated, as they serve as a platform for young people to contribute to the social, economic, and political development of their communities. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study investigates the activities, challenges, and achievements of youth organizations in Uselu community, as well as their impact on the community's development. The findings of this study reveal that youth organizations in Uselu community have made significant contributions to the community's development, including the provision of education and healthcare services, infrastructure development, and empowerment of young people. However, the study also identifies challenges facing these organizations, including inadequate funding, lack of government support, and limited capacity. The study recommends that government and other stakeholders provide support to youth organizations in Uselu community to enhance their capacity and impact. The study contributes to the literature on youth organizations and community development, and provides insights for policymakers and practitioners working in this field.

This study investigates the role of religion in shaping voter turnout during the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, with a particular focus on how religious institutions, faith leaders, and religious identities influenced political participation. Using a mixed-methods approach that combined survey data from respondents with in-depth interviews from selected religious leaders, the research explored four key areas: religious mobilization efforts, turnout patterns in Christian and Muslim communities, the influence of religious affiliation on participation, and voters’ perceptions of religion’s role in electoral decision making.
The findings reveal that religion served as both a motivational and moral force In the electoral process. The quantitative results showed that a significant proportion of voters believed religious institutions shaped their willingness to vote and influenced how they assessed candidates’ credibility. In-depth interviews with religious leaders also buttressed this fact, especially in communities where political
apathy had been historically high. While some religious leaders actively encouraged civic participation, many expressed a commitment to political neutrality, highlighting the tension between moral guidance and partisan restraint. The study concludes that religion remains a powerful social force in Nigeria, capable of encouraging voter participation, shaping political judgement, and reinforcing collective identity. However, it also cautions that the intersection of faith and politics must be managed with care to avoid polarization.
The research recommends greater use of religious spaces for civic education, increased collaboration between faith groups and civic organizations, and further scholarly exploration of regional variations in religious political engagement. This work contributes to ongoing debates on democracy, identity, and political participation in multi-religious societies.

In recent decades, the potential contribution of agriculture to economic growth has been a subject of much controversy among development economists. While some contend that agricultural development is a pre-condition for industrialization, others
strongly disagree and argue for a different path. This study examines the contribution of Agriculture to Economic Growth in Nigeria Empolying the Ordinary Least Square Method (OLS).Results shows that the productivity in agricultural sector has not appreciably impacted positively on the economic growth in Nigeria.

This study comparatively explores the impact of intervention programs in response to patients with substance use disorders. The study uses the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City as its focus of study. Four well-structured research questions were formulated and sixteen questions were administered to the respondent to collect response from them, the population for the study include staff comprising Doctors, Nurses, Psychiatric and Counsellor at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City. To conduct the study, a total of 100 respondents were drawn. The respondents were chosen using the simple random sampling technique from the targeted population. The result of the study shows that the problem of substance disorder affects all parts of the country and that there are intervention program that have been put in place to address the issue. However, it was found that more work still need to be done in bringing this issue to rest. Thus, it was the recommended that the government and all citizens alike should join hands together in addressing the menace of substance use disorder. Regular and frequent substance-use training based on Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) for primary healthcare workers who provide care for victims should be conducted. The government and all those involved in addressing the issue of substance disorder should adopt the early intervention policy. Adequate funding and equipment should be provided for the treatment of substance use disorder.

his study was carried out to examine teenage pregnancy and youth development in Oredo local government area, Edo State, Nigeria. It drew sample from the 533,300 population of Oredo local government area.. It made use of four objectives. A 100% response rate was obtained from the questionnaires that was administered. The survey method of data collection was applied in the study because it is only the method best suited for the collection of data from a sample of a chosen population of any study, which was applicable in the study. The findings from this study shows most of the respondents know what teenage pregnancy is, this is because they are victims of teenage pregnancy or know someone who is. The main cause of teenage pregnancy is lack of proper sex education to teenagers. This study shows that family background has a role to play in teenagers falling victims of teenage pregnancy however, it does not relegate the fact that victims of teenage pregnancy live unfulfilled lives. The study recommends that the government should encourage NGOs that advocate for women and children so that they will constantly sensitize the public on the right sex education. It also recommends that counselling centers and rehabilitation facilities should be made available for victims of teenage pregnancy.